try

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrī 

tried; trying

intransitive verb

: to make an effort or attempt

you can do it if you try

I haven't found a job yet, but it's not for lack/want of trying. [=not because I haven't tried to find one]

transitive verb

1

: to make an attempt at

I tried my best/hardest.

—often used with an infinitive

try to fix the car

—often followed by and + a verb

Try and relax.

2

a

: to do or use (something) to see if it works or succeeds

Did you try restarting the computer?

I tried calling but no one answered.

He tried the switch, but the lights were out.

—often used with out

try out a new method

b

: to taste (food or drink) to find out what it is like

Would you like to try the cake?

c

: to subject to something (such as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance

You're trying my patience.

d

: demonstrate, prove

3

a

: to examine or investigate judicially

try a case

b(1)

: to conduct the trial of

(2)

: to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of

4

a

: to melt down and procure in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

b

obsolete : purify, refine

5

: to fit or finish with accuracy

try

2 of 2

noun

plural tries

1

: an experimental trial : attempt

succeeded on the first try

I doubt it will work, but it's worth a try.

2

: a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usually five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points

also : the score made on a try

Phrases

try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

try one's luck

: to do something with the hope of success

tried their luck at starting their own restaurant

Synonyms of try

Verb

• attempt
• strive
• seek

Noun

• attempt

Choose the Right Synonym for try

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of try in a Sentence

Verb

I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.

Keep trying. You can do it.

You can do it if you try hard enough.

“He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!”

I tried, but I just couldn't do it.

“She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.”

I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone.

He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked.

Did you try restarting the computer?

If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.

Noun

was granted another try at the field goal

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As agents tried to make a U-turn, the red car crashed into Border Patrol. —NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

And Guiducci is trying to revive a certain old-time magazine swagger around the 40th floor of Condé Nast’s offices at One World Trade Center. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Noun

Since the start of last season, Matthews has scored two goals or more in a game only four times in 79 tries — once this season and three times in 67 games last season. —Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

From 1993 to 1998, the actress appeared on Fox's Living Single and gave reality TV a try during season 8 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. —Michele Corriston, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub — more at throw entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing try

• college try
• cut-and-try
• give it the old college try
• have a try
• I'd (just) like to see him try
• nice try
• try as one might
• try for
• try for a baby
• try for point
• try it on
• try me
• try on
• try one's best/hardest
• try one's damnedest
• try out
• try-pot
• try someone's patience
• try (something) on for size
• try square
• try/use every trick in the book
• worth a try

Rhymes for try

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

try

1 of 2 verb

ˈtrī 

tried; trying

1

: to make an effort to do

I'll try to do my best

2

a

: to examine or investigate in a court of law

try a case

b

: to conduct the trial of

3

a

: to put to a test

try out something new

try your luck

b

: to test to the limit

you're trying my patience

4

: to melt down (as tallow) and obtain in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

try

2 of 2 noun

plural tries

: an effort to do something : attempt

Medical Definition

Try

abbreviation

tryptophan

Legal Definition

try

transitive verb

tried; trying

1

: to examine or investigate judicially

no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

in an action tried on the facts without a jury

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 52(a)

2

: to conduct the trial of : put on trial

3

: to participate as lawyer or counsel in the trial of : bring to trial on behalf of a client

was unqualified to try death penalty cases

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French trier to choose, sort, ascertain, examine judicially, from Old French, to choose, sort